Mike Patterson's agent said that he planned to file a grievance through the NFL Players Association after the Eagles placed his client on the Non-Football Illness list on Wednesday.

"This is not how you treat people if you're a winning organization," Peter Schaffer said to The Inquirer.

Patterson will lose about $150,000 or 50 percent of his remaining salary, according to Schaffer.

Patterson contracted pneumonia last week and was hospitalized. He was home and resting as of Tuesday, according to team trainer Rick Burkholder.

Schaffer said that he spoke to Howie Roseman after he was informed of the move and told the Eagles general manager then that he planned to file a grievance because he believed the defensive tackle likely contracted the illness because of work.

"I think it's pretty clear that he got it at practice or at the NovaCare Complex," Schaffer said. "That's where he spends all his time. That's all he's doing is practicing and working out."

The Eagles released a statement Wednesday evening.

"Our number one priority is to get Mike Patterson well enough to get back on the football field," the Eagles said. "He has worked hard this year to get back and he has our full support as an organization."

Patterson's season is over. Players placed on Non-Football Illness lists must sit out for at least eight games. This is Patterson's second stint on the list this year. The Eagles placed him on it in late August as he recovered from January brain surgery to have an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) removed from his brain.

The Eagles reduced Patterson's pay 50 percent, as is their right, until he returned for the Nov. 5 game at New Orleans. He lost about $1 million, but was paid in full for the five games he played this season. Patterson finished the year with nine tackles and one sack.

Patterson, 29, is the Eagles' longest-tenured player. He was selected in the first round of the 2005 draft. The team is not expected to bring the eight-year veteran back next season. He has four years left on his contract.

"I told Howie this morning that if he could prove to be that Mike didn't get pneumonia at practice I wouldn't file a grievance," Schaffer said. "He said he couldn't."

Schaffer has had a long-standing relationship with the Eagles. He would have lunch with Roseman and former Eagles president Joe Banner every year at the Indianapolis scouting combine.

"I love Howie, but this is wrong and petty," Schaffer said. "To do this to one of your leaders and to a guy that fought back from brain surgery is just wrong."

The Eagles signed fullback/tight end Emil Igwenagu off the practice squad and to their 53-man roster to take Patterson's place. They also signed defensive tackle Ronnie Cameron to the practice squad.